Uluwatu - the most magical temple of Bali

In the most souther tip of Bali you'll find Bukit Peninsula - scenic cliffs and windy beaches flooded with Australians which have surprising tendency to behave like arrogant colonizers. Nevertheless, it's still a wonderful place to be...


We started off by taking a taxi from Kuta to Bingin Beach (10 euro) what was kind of coincidence, very happy one. And so we found ourselves in the cutest stony bay between famous beaches of Dreamland (amazing coast but very crowded) and Padang Padang. Above our, quite cozy and peaceful strip of sand there was a cascade houses built one upon another where you can find accommodation of all sorts - from very basic rooms above warungs (simple local bars) to sophisticated bungalows with terraces. For the first night we took the first option - totally at the beach, a rough wooden room without view, sharing bathroom with 3 other rooms, for 8 euros per night. (Tuti's Warung). It was amazing, romantic location but not much comfortable nor private so for second night we moved up the steep stairs to Susie's Bungalows. Now that was expensive (ca. 25 euros without breakfast) but very good quality, with AC, amazing external bathroom and pleasant terrace.

Bingin Beach itself is great for swimming but rather dangerous for surfing because of treacherous rocks under water. In the low tide you can walk 200 meters till Dreamland where conditions are a bit better, though definitely more civilized (in a negative sense). Restaurants choice is not overwhelming on Bingin but there are 3 small warungs with tables right on the beach that offer good Indonesian food and amazing grilled fish.



We managed to rent a motorbike for 5 euros / per half a day and we drove south to Padand Padang beach (nice, but small, crowded and not so charming) and then to Uluwatu Beach, where from many cafes and bars terraces you can observe surfers on long wide waves. Finally, by the sunset we reached legendary Pura Uluwatu, spectacular temple of the edge of dramatic cliff known for its traditional Kecak dance. Shows take place in smal amphitheatre, every day at 6 PM and ticket costs ca. 8 euro. If you are not into such kind of happenings it is still worthwhile to walk around the cliff and enjoy the views of inner sanctum rising above steep rocks. Beware of monkeys - they are extremely harassing here and they steal everything from glasses to cameras.